FEMA provides $17.6 million to Rutherford County for large-scale debris removal

True

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funding

FEMA has obligated $17.6 million to Rutherford County for the described debris removal and related operations.

Source summary

Secretary of Homeland Security Kristi Noem announced more than $116 million in federal funding to help North Carolina recover from Tropical Storm Helene and to fund projects that reduce future flood and storm damage. Over $72 million is designated for repairing and restoring infrastructure — including roads, bridges, and utilities — and $44.6 million is for hazard mitigation projects such as property acquisitions and home elevations. Notable FEMA Public Assistance obligations include grants to the North Carolina Department of Transportation, Rutherford County, Asheville, and Beech Mountain. The release notes that North Carolina had already received more than $1 billion for recovery and that FEMA has paid over $549 million to survivors.

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Latest fact check

The U.S. Department of Homeland Security’s Jan. 14, 2026 press release lists “notable FEMA Public Assistance grants obligated to the state and communities,” including “$17.6 million to Rutherford County for the removal of nearly 700,000 cubic yards of debris and 75,000 trees and limbs from public rights of way, and the operation of four debris reduction sites.” A contemporaneous WRAL report, summarizing statements from federal officials, repeats the same amount and project description and explicitly describes these as FEMA public assistance grants that have been obligated. No credible sources contradict this amount, beneficiary, or stated purpose. Verdict: True, because official DHS documentation and corroborating local reporting both confirm that FEMA obligated $17.6 million to Rutherford County for the described debris removal and debris-reduction-site operations, matching the claim in both amount and scope.

Sources

Timeline

Update · Jan 14, 2026, 11:07 PMTrue
The U.S. Department of Homeland Security’s Jan. 14, 2026 press release lists “notable FEMA Public Assistance grants obligated to the state and communities,” including “$17.6 million to Rutherford County for the removal of nearly 700,000 cubic yards of debris and 75,000 trees and limbs from public rights of way, and the operation of four debris reduction sites.” A contemporaneous WRAL report, summarizing statements from federal officials, repeats the same amount and project description and explicitly describes these as FEMA public assistance grants that have been obligated. No credible sources contradict this amount, beneficiary, or stated purpose. Verdict: True, because official DHS documentation and corroborating local reporting both confirm that FEMA obligated $17.6 million to Rutherford County for the described debris removal and debris-reduction-site operations, matching the claim in both amount and scope.
Original article · Jan 14, 2026
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